Throughout history, the fast-food hamburger has been mocked more regularly than it has been praised. From McDonald’s to Burger King, the item conjures up images of soggy buns, day-old condiments, and grayish slabs of lukewarm mystery meat. But regardless of the reputation the mass-produced beef patty has been stuck with over the years, there’s one chain that’s earned the undying respect of fast-food aficionados and Michelin-starred chefs alike—and that’s In-N-Out Burger.

Founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park, California, In-N-Out has become the gold standard for fast-food in America since its inception in 1948. And while other chain restaurants have risen to prominence through ubiquity—opening storefronts on every street corner, and rolling out a never-ending array of highly publicized menu options—In-N-Out has largely taken the opposite approach. The company’s refusal to expand too far outside of the Golden State—as well as its much lauded “secret menu”—has only added to the lore surrounding the restaurant in recent years. The burger chain exists not only as a point of pride for West Coast natives, but a tourist destination for East Coast travelers who flock there to Instagram the Thousand Island-smothered, “Animal Style” fries.

Though In-N-Out has been slapping Bible verses on its packaging since the 1980s, the chain’s devotees have become increasingly more fanatical over the course of the last decade. Like all great success stories, the company needed a rival to push it to its true potential, and since 2004, Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack has successfully stoked the flames of an East Coast-West Coast burger rivalry, offering all-natural Angus beef throughout New York City.

To many, In-N-Out is the fast-food joint of the imagination, the pinnacle of what humans can do with a deep fryer and a flat-top stove. And over the years, everyone from Padma Lakshmi to Machine Gun Kelly have weighed in on the allure of the Double-Double, hoping to convey to the masses what makes this fast-food chain stand out from all the rest. Here, in their own words, are what chefs, rappers, T.V. stars, and singers have to say about the indomitable In-N-Out Burger.

Gordon Ramsay

Image via Getty/Randy Holmes

Who? Chef, television personality

Thoughts on the matter:"People think Americans are obese and burgers are bad for them—they are delicious. In-N-Out burgers were extraordinary. I was so bad, I sat in the restaurant, had my double cheeseburger then minutes later I drove back round and got the same thing again to take away."

Chrissy Teigen

Image via Getty/Michael Ivins

Who?Model, cookbook author

Thoughts on the matter: "I've had In-N-Out so many times. I absolutely love In-N-Out but those fries kill me. The In-N-Out burger over any other burger, but I will take McDonald's fries."

Thomas Keller

Image via Getty/Rob Kim

Who? Chef, owner of the French Laundry

Thoughts on the matter: "My first experience at In-N-Out Burger inspired me to do a hamburger restaurant. I've had it in the back of my mind for sixteen years but I haven't gotten around to it. It's kind of a secret fantasy."

Donald Glover

Image via Getty/Neilson Barnard

Who? Actor, rapper

Thoughts on the matter: (As Childish Gambino) "I’m just happy these girls seem into me now/Yeah, they lookin’ for some In-N-Out, Animal Style."

Julia Child

Image via Getty/Bettmann

Who? Chef, author, and television personality

Thoughts on the subject: "[I like McDonald's], but there's another one called the In-N-Out Burger that I like, too. We have lunch here or there on the way down."

Larry King: "Everybody in L.A. loves the In-N-Out Burger."

Child: "Well, it's very good."

King: "Is that the best of the fast foods?"

Child: "Well, it's awfully good."

Jaden Smith

Image via Getty/Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

Who? Actor, rapper

Thoughts on the matter: "Girl don't listen to these pimps, they got no one to vent to/ Said you want some In-N-Out we should probably hit Ventu."

Sammy Hagar

Image via Getty/Jennifer Lourie

Who? Former lead singer of Van Halen

Thoughts on the matter: "When I first joined the band, we must have eaten there at least three days a week. We were in the studio recording 5150, and we'd send someone to go get food, and we'd talk about sushi or pizza and always end up with In-N-Out."

Padma Lakshmi

Image via Getty/Daniel Zuchnik

Who? Chef, television personality

Thoughts on the matter: "Last season when I was filming in California, we were basically on a road trip up and down the California coast and we would have this contest about which was the best In-N-Out. Is it San Diego? Is it Los Angeles? The best one we had was Palm Springs."

Guy Fieri

Image via Getty/Matthew Eisman

Who? ​Incumbent mayor of Flavortown

Thoughts on the matter: "I love Danny Meyer, but In-N-Out [is the winner]. Danny's the machine, Shake Shack's phenomenal, but there's something about growing up around In-N-Out."

Paris Hilton

David Chang

Image via Getty/Neilson Barnard

Who? Chef, owner of the Momofuku restaurant group

Thoughts on the matter: "I will admit that there is a time and place for these things. If consumed right away, an Animal Style burger at In-N-Out is a beautiful thing; the toppings provide a lovely textural and temperature contrast. But please do not let it sit for more than five minutes."

Alice Waters

​Thoughts on the matter: “It’s probably better than any other chain, but it’s not real or authentic. I’d rather eat from a street vendor in Sicily.”

Anthony Bourdain

Image via Getty/Donna Ward

Who? Chef, author, and host of CNN's Parts Unknown

Thoughts on the matter: "What can I say about this place? It's the only fast-food chain that I actually like, and think is reasonably good for the world. Whenever I come to L.A.—in fact, one of the reasons I look forward to doing The Taste—is because as soon as I arrive I'll hit the airport In-N-Out, and on my way out of town, after finishing The Taste, I'll pick up another. Every once in a while I'll even buy a big reeking back of burgers with onions and fries and shakes, and I'll bring 'em back through my very nice hotel lobby, and it's really an amazing thing to see. Generally speaking, when you walk through a lobby of a nice hotel with a big reeking bag of fast-food, people look at you like you're low class, like, 'Why are you bringing that in here? We do have a restaurant.' No, nothing but love and admiration, even from the staff. They're like, 'Good going sir, nicely done sir, excellent!'"

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